Mauritanian bank cards: debit, prepaid and the rare revolving credit card
In Mauritania, most cards issued are national or international debit cards linked to the account. A true revolving credit card remains rare and reserved for wealthier customers, while everyday payments increasingly go through Bankily or Masrvi.
Debit card or credit card: the Mauritanian distinction
A debit card draws on the available balance immediately or at the end of the month, whereas a credit card grants a repayable reserve of money. At Mauritanian banks the first type largely dominates; the second requires a high, domiciled salary.
The GIMTEL interbank network
The GIMTEL interbank group connects the cash machines and payment terminals of Mauritanian banks. A national card therefore lets you withdraw ouguiyas from another bank's machine in Nouakchott, Nouadhibou or Zouérate, sometimes for a commission.
Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Nouakchott
BMCI, Société Générale Mauritanie, Attijari bank Mauritanie and other institutions issue international cards for travel, study abroad or online shopping. Transactions in foreign currency carry exchange fees and commissions that add to the final bill.
Prepaid cards for travellers and students
A prepaid card, topped up in advance in ouguiyas, limits spending to the amount loaded. It suits students who have gone to Morocco, Tunisia or France and pilgrims travelling to Mecca, with no risk of an overdraft.
What Islamic banks offer
Islamic banks such as BAMIS offer debit cards and sometimes interest-free formulas based on fixed fees. The contract must state clearly how any deferred payment is remunerated, in line with the principle that excludes riba from all transactions.
Mobile payment versus the card
In shops and with traders in Nouakchott, paying by Bankily or Masrvi is often more common than using a card. Many payment terminals are concentrated in hotels, supermarkets and petrol stations in the large cities of the country.
Annual cost and commissions
Banks charge an annual fee, fees for withdrawals outside the network and commissions on payments abroad. For a credit card, the cost of using the credit comes on top and should be compared with a Mauritanian bank personal loan.
Payment and withdrawal limits
Each card has a weekly withdrawal limit and a payment limit, set according to income. For a stay abroad, it is often necessary to ask the branch for a temporary increase in the international limit before leaving the country.
Fraud, cloning and fake messages
Messages imitating Mauritanian banks ask for the card's PIN or full number. No bank requests this information by phone or WhatsApp; if in doubt, have the card blocked immediately at your branch to prevent any fraudulent use.
Online shopping and WhatsApp commerce
Mauritanian e-commerce runs mainly through WhatsApp and Facebook, with mobile payment or cash on delivery. An international card remains useful for foreign websites, but you should activate the secure payment option offered by your bank.
The wider credit picture and a Malian comparison
The card is just one part of the offer, presented as a whole in our overview of credit in Mauritania. In Mali the landscape differs under BCEAO rules, as shown in our page on credit cards in Mali.
Getting a card as a trader
A trader at the Capitale market can obtain a debit card linked to a current account. For a credit card, the bank will instead look at the history of takings, statements covering several months and the length of the banking relationship.
Getting a bank card in Mauritania
- Open an account at a BCM-licensed bank with your biometric ID card and proof of address.
- Choose between a national card, an international Visa or Mastercard and a prepaid card, depending on your needs.
- Ask for the written fee schedule: annual fee, out-of-network withdrawals, payments in foreign currency.
- For a credit card, provide proof of salary and accept the domiciliation requested.
- Collect the card and PIN separately at the branch, then activate secure online payment.
Usual card fees in ouguiyas
| Fee | Nature | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Fixed amount charged each year | National or international card |
| Out-of-network withdrawal | Commission per withdrawal | Cash machine's bank, country |
| Foreign currency payment | Commission and exchange rate | Currency, amount, bank |
| Cost of revolving credit | Interest or fixed fees | Conventional or Islamic bank |
| Card replacement | Fee for loss or theft | Institution's fee schedule |
Documents to apply for a Mauritanian bank card
- Biometric ID card with NNI or passport
- Recent proof of address
- Payslips for a credit card
- Trade register and NIF for a business account
- Signed card application form
Card misuse to avoid in Mauritania
- Giving the card PIN or number to a fake bank adviser who calls or writes on WhatsApp.
- Travelling abroad with only a national card, unusable outside the Mauritanian network, without having requested an international card.
- Forgetting exchange fees and commissions on payments in euros or dirhams, which push up the final bill in ouguiyas.
- Treating a credit card as extra income and building up a balance the domiciled salary can no longer repay.
- Waiting too long to block the card after a theft in Nouakchott, giving time for fraudulent withdrawals.
Questions about bank cards in Mauritania
Do real credit cards exist in Mauritania?
They exist but remain uncommon. Most customers hold national or international debit cards. A revolving credit card is generally reserved for high-earning employees whose salary has been paid into the issuing bank for some time.
Can you pay abroad with a Mauritanian card?
Yes, with an international Visa or Mastercard issued by a Mauritanian bank. Payments in foreign currency are converted from ouguiyas with a commission; check your limits and let the bank know before you leave.
Is Bankily replacing the bank card?
For local payments, Bankily and Masrvi are often more practical and accepted by more traders. The card remains useful for cash machine withdrawals, travel and purchases on international websites that do not take mobile wallets.
What should you do if you lose your card in Nouakchott?
Call your bank's card-blocking service immediately or go to a branch to block the card. Keep the blocking reference and check your statements so you can dispute any unauthorised transaction that appears afterwards.